Some answers on Arenas

I received an e-mail this morning from a curious reader, Chris Dachi, who had some questions about how Gilbert Arenas's indefinite suspension affects the Washington Wizards going forward. So much still needs to be worked out from a legal standpoint, but there are some things that I can address right now. I realize that there is a lot of confusion right now, so I hope this helps a little bit.

Before I get started, I just want to let everyone know that the Wizards cannot fill Arenas's roster spot. Arenas has been suspended indefinitely, not banned or cut, so he is still on the roster. The team will just have to rely on Earl Boykins, Randy Foye and possibly Mike James until the Wizards make other trades.

Arenas actually flew back with the team from Cleveland on Wednesday, the most unforgettable birthday of his life. He has not been banned from the Verizon Center; he can still show up to work out on his own, until told otherwise. But he is not allowed to practice or appear at games while he suspended. I'll start with the questions from Chris and answer a few more later this afternoon.

1) Money that Arenas does not get paid - do the Wiz keep that? If so, what ramifications does that have on the salary cap and luxury tax?

Arenas stands to lose about $180,000 a game (82 regular season and eight preseason) for the duration of his suspension, which would add up to about $9.2 million if he is forced to miss the remainder of the season. The Wizards have a pending luxury tax payment of more than $8 million this summer -- unless they can make some cost cutting deals between now and Feb. 18. But this suspension provides no salary cap relief for the Wizards because the money that would've gone directly to Arenas will instead go to the NBA league office, which typically donates the revenues from player suspensions to various charities.

2) Obviously everyone wants to understand the possibilities that the Wiz might try to void Arenas' contract, and if they did try to void the contract how likely are they to succeed? What results from the criminal justice system would make it more likely to successfully void the contract?

It is likely that Arenas has played his final game with the Wizards, especially with it appearing that he will soon be charged for breaking D.C. gun laws by admitting to bringing four unloaded weapons to the Verizon Center. Arenas could face charges of carrying a handgun without a license, a felony, which carries a maximum sentence of five years -- for each gun (if you do the math, that's 20 years). He could also get charged with possession of an unregistered firearm, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum of 12 months.

With Arenas's bloated contract, which has four years and $80-million remaining after this season, the Wizards have a virtually immovable asset. No team could seriously justify the hassle of taking on Arenas at that price right now, so that leaves the Wizards with the option to void the remainder of Arenas's six-year, $111-million contract under the "moral turpitude" provision of the uniform player contract. The provision gives teams that option if a player pleads guilty to a felony crime.

Such a move is not unprecedented, and would potentially free up considerable cap space for the Wizards in the summer of 2010. The Golden State Warriors voided the remaining three years and $23.7 million on Latrell Sprewell's contract in 1998 after Sprewell attempted to choke then-coach P.J. Carlesimo during an argument in practice. Stern suspended Sprewell for a year, but an arbitrator reduced the penalty to the remainder of the calendar year and canceled the Warriors' attempts to terminate the contract.

Two league sources said that Arenas and the NBA Players' Association would fight any attempt to terminate his deal. But I talked to a high-powered agent last night who informed me the Wizards would be well within their rights under the circumstances and that Arenas and the union wouldn't have much ground to stand on -- especially with Arenas admitting to breaking the law and violating league rules.

The Wizards would have little choice if Arenas has to face extended jail time or Stern backs up the harsh words of his statement -- "The actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse" -- with a severe punishment. "Perhaps worse" can never be good, especially from a guy whom Arenas described as "mean."

3) Why do you think the Wiz failed to suspend Arenas, on their own, prior to the NBA taking action?

The Wizards were unable to suspend Arenas because the collective bargaining agreement clearly states that any violation of the league's firearms policy falls solely under the jurisdiction of the NBA. I've heard from two sources that the Wizards wanted to punish Arenas -- and you can tell from that strong statement from the Pollin family last Saturday that the organization was none too pleased with this situation. But as Stern said in his statement, "I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action." After Arenas's comments and his playful "shooting" episode before the game against Philadelphia, Stern decided to act swiftly to spare the Wizards and the league from further embarrassment.

According to the New York Times Larry Coon, who authored the fantastic NBA CBA FAQ:

"In the meantime, 50 percent of Arenas’s lost salary comes off the Wizards’ cap while he is suspended. Since the Wizards are currently about $8.75 million over this season’s tax threshold, it could have quite an impact on the team’s bottom line."

It's very simple the players showed who they really are at the Sixers game (a bunch of low IQ clowns).

Why do people on here try to keep defending them? It’s worse than Rush Limbaugh trying to defend the Bush/Cheney administration and I use to be a republican.

Looking at the big picture the players Ernie and Abe assembled should show you what a joke this organization was really like under the old regime.

I gave up my season tickets the year the Wizards had assistant coaches practicing with the team? I hope whom ever the new owner is, they realize the organization needs to be torn down and rebuilt from the bottom up and they don’t keep anyone (players, coaches, trainers, GM, front office personal and the medical staff) who was involved with Abe’s Wizards.

Legal analysts are saying this sounds like a misdemeanor. Then Wiz can't void Gilbert's contract. Wiz will probably have to trade him with young talent/draft picks since it appears they no longer want him around. UNLESS, Leonsis buys the team and fires Ernie and has a soft spot for Gilbert.

Thanks to Mike Lee for some actual information about the case. As for voiding the contract, that's much more difficult than this piece makes it sound. The usual outcome is a negotiated settlement between team and player. That's because the negotiation takes place months from the event that caused it, when tempers have cooled, the media has moved on, fans have lost interest, and the focus is on who gets the cash.

However that negotiation turns out, we've likely seen the last of Gilbert as a Wizard, which should make at least some folks really, really happy.

Did I read Mike Lee correctly? Did he say that Gil has probably played his last game in a Wiz uniform?

I am as liberal as they come, and I would support just about any gun regulation/restrictions. That being said, if Gil didn't make any real threat of violence, I find the league's reaction to this event to be outrageously inconsistent with any previous suspensions for even remotely similar acts. I'm not saying that he isn't deserving of a suspension, but c'mon, players who have committed far more serious acts have received penalties of relatively short duration.

David Stern has always had a soft spot for Pollin and the team, so I think whatever the Wizards try to do they will have the full backing of the league. Although, as we've seen in the past, the players union is generally the one who wins in this thing. The Sprewell thing was a particular black eye. But that seemed like a different time in the NBA, when it seemed every other team was stocked with thugs as teams were desperately trying to imitate the Knicks, Pistons, and Bulls. Maybe now the situation has changed. I feel bad saying this, I don't like to see peoples money and career taken from them, but I am hoping they can find some way to void his contract, even if it means he has to get convicted of a felony. He has really ruined this franchise for the next five years plus with his ridiculous selfishness, and I am huge Arenas fan, who thought that the discipline enforced by rehabbing might change his mindset. Considering he didn't even follow his rehad schedule and only set himself back, that should have been the sign to everyone that the man doesn't know how to control his mouth or his emotions. Too bad. I really thought I might actually have a superstar to root for in a Wizards uniform for once.

If Gil has likely played his last game for the Wizards as reported, then it means they'll pay him to stay away from the team because no other team is taking on that contract for such an immature player. If he's available to play and doesn't have to serve prison time during the season, he hasn't done enough to void his contract.

I will admit I really have underestimated how big a deal this gun incident would become. When the story first broke we learned that Gil had brought guns into the locker room. No uproar from the public and media about that. The story exploded when the NY Post reported Gil & Jarvis drew guns on each other. Until early this morning I thought that story was completely made up. So we learn a player did draw a gun and it was not Gil. Gil was using his gun as a prop in a joke. However, this huge uproar happens because Gil brought guns into the locker (might I add that everyone knew that since Dec. 21.)

To me the story has not changed much since Dec. 21 and now Gil will not play for the Wizard ever again because he used guns as a prop in an attempted joke and because Gil didn't behave in a way deemed acceptable (which I might say is not a crime).

Unbelievable. I consider myself a real Wizards fan and have an emotional attachment to the team. I'm hurt by Gil's actions, but I'm more hurt by the Wizards actions. They Wizards have allowed people who have not and will not ever support Wizards to throw their superstar player under the bus while he is in his prime (think of Chris Webber) and tell the real fans of this team they can still win with two semi-all-stars who proved last year that they can't more than 20 games without Gil. Or they will make trades and build this team up again through the draft. No free agent is coming and anyone who studies history know what happens when we're in the lottery. That means no John Wall. I keep saying think of Kobe and how the Lakers dealt his problems should have been an example for the Wizards to follow. One thing I won't underestimate is how many games this team will lose over the next ten 10 years.

It would be interesting to hear what the season ticket holders have to say about the situation. I hear a lot of people calling for blood, but judging from the way they label Gilbert a thug I doubt they're fans or customers.

I will be damned if I'm going to pay the current ticket prices to watch another twenty year rebuilding effort, or the 2010-11 Wizards starring Earl Boykins and Nick Young. Vast sections of the Hill have been empty for home games this year. And now they're going to void the contract of the one guy not named Michael Jordan who has filled the building in the last two decades?

Gilbert actions and his attitude clearly deserve a suspension and that's exactly what he has ended up with obviously. That hurts the team's chances to win games and Gilbert's primary focus (and every other player for that matter) is to help the team win games in whatever manner he can.

Having said that and putting aside any judgement about whether guns should be legal, Gilbert's suspension should be consistent with past suspensions for gun related incidents, shouldn't it? I can't justify Gilbert bringing four (allegedly) unloaded guns to VC being worse than Stephen Jackson pleading guilty to firing random shots in public outside a strip club at 2 am. So unless David Stern is using the "guns in NBA facilities" rule to make drastic judgements between the two incidents, shouldn't Gilbert's suspension be about 8 or 9 games maximum? I don't understand why there is talk of Gilbert being suspended for the entire season. It seems like David Stern is upset about Gilbert's attitude toward the whole thing. Is it David Stern's responsibility to punish a team's ability to compete because he doesn't like a player's attitude?

The assassination by gun of Mr. Pollin's friend Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin changed the life of Mr. Pollin in very important ways. One of those was his insistence in changing the name of his beloved Bullets to Wizards. How tragically ironic it is for Gilbert Arenas to be storing guns and Javaris Crittenton reportedly chamber a round in his own alleged gun, all in Mr. Pollin's Verizon Center. Not counting the illegality of the incident or the breaking of NBA rules, on the basis of a total and complete disregard for the legacy or Mr. Abe Pollin and the disrespect to that beautiful man by Gilbert Arenas, there is only one alternative for the Wizards: to void the remainder of Arenas' contract and to break all ties with both players.

I'm no lawyer, but if my reading (and Mike Lee's writing) of the potential charges is right, I think it's highly unlikely he gets charged with any felony counts. He'll probably get multiple counts of misdemeanor possession, no jail time, and a fine.

thanks for all your efforts at reporting this story. would it be possible to get a little more background on crittenton and his personality as well as the extent to which the vets pick on/make fun of the young guys?

im just trying to figure out whether crittenton is a wannabe thug or a sensitive "outcast" from the in crowd who was needled once too many by the popular guys.

why has crittenton not been suspended (don't need legal proof of a criminal act to do that)?

did the wizards really hire the computer equivalent of their medical staff (geek squad) to try and recover video of the incident?

can we track down the photographer of the picture? was the pregame incident a full routine or was it a brief gesture in response to a joke?

"Terminating Gil leaves us with what?
An aging 2nd banana with a big contract who plays no defense (AJ).
A veteran 3rd banana who is only good when he's featured and on a bad team(think Juwan Howard). This is CB.
A bunch of young players who havent been developed because we keep waiting for the BIG 3 to take us to the Promised Land.
A C who will in all likelihood leave after this season because he knows there's no shot at a ring here plus more money elsewhere. (BTH).
If we terminate Gil's contract, we're a 20 win team with no hope for success in the near future. "

I don't entirely disagree with your player evals, but voiding that contract would help the team quite a bit. For one thing, it would increase the team's value in a sale, by removing an increasingly toxic 'asset'. And a sale is what we're talking about here, right?

As for Butler and Jamison, seems like it would make sense to trade both as soon as possible. We saw last season what they can do without Arenas, and it's not that much. Their value would be greater to, say, the Cavs or the Mavs than to the Wiz.

Haywood would probably leave of his own accord, as would Miller and Foye if they get the chance.

Samson151, I guess the reason I dont want to let him go is because I remember the days when Ricky Sobers, a 48 year old Gus Williams and Dan Roundfield were our best players. I really dont want to go back. Losing Gil sets us back 10 years.
Despite all of this crap going on, he's clearly a top 20 NBA player that we could build on if we surrounded him with the right kind of talent....IMO.
I can't see the Wizards pulling the 'frozen envelope' out of the barrel and EVER winning the lottery...especially with Stern's friend Abe gone.

Section 9. Firearms.
(a) Whenever a player is physically present at a facility or venue owned, operated, or being used by a Team, the NBA, or any League-related entity, and whenever a player is traveling on any NBA-related business, whether on behalf of the player’s Team, the NBA, or any League-related entity, such player shall not possess a firearm of any kind. For purposes of the foregoing, “a facility or venue” includes, but is not limited to: an arena; a practice facility; a Team or League office or facility; an All-Star or NBA Playoff venue; and the site of a promotional or charitable appearance.

(b) Any violation of Section 9(a) above shall be considered conduct prejudicial to the NBA under Article 35(d) of the NBA Constitution and By-Laws, and shall therefore subject the player to discipline by the NBA in accordance with such Article.

And what, you ask, does Article 35(d) say?

Here it is, in all its glorious legalese:

"The commissioner shall have the power to suspend for a definite or indefinite period, or impose a fine not exceeding $50,000, or inflict both such suspension and fine upon any player who in his opinion: (i) who shall have made or caused to be made any statement having, or that was designed to have, in effect prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of basketball or the Association, or a member, or (ii) shall have been guilty of conduct that does not conform to standards or morality or fair play, or that does not comply at all times with federal, state and local laws, or that is prejudicial or detrimental to The Association."

It also should be noted that Arenas' actions, because they happened at practice and not at a game, do not fall under the section of the labor agreement regarding penalties at the commissioner's disposal for on-court misconduct. In those cases, suspensions of more than 12 games can be appealed to an impartial arbitrator.

So to summarize, "indefinite" means exactly that. And until all the facts are known, "indefinitely suspended" is the limbo in which Gilbert Arenas shall remain until Stern decides otherwise.

(You want an over/under? I'll set it at 30 games, which would cost Arenas about $4.5 million in lost salary. That should be enough to teach Arenas that guns, gunplay, gun glorification and disrespect for authority are matters not to be treated lightly.)

As for the Crittenton side of the equation, the Wizards are hoping that Mount Stern does not erupt again in response to what the Washington Post is reporting, because an indefinite suspension of the third-year guard (should Stern choose to impose one) could make Crittenton more difficult to trade. The thinking in Washington's front office is that Crittenton, with his expiring $1.48 million contract, could be a key piece to a puzzle in terms of making salaries match if the Wizards find a trade they like prior to the Feb. 18 deadline.

Did I read Mike Lee correctly? Did he say that Gil has probably played his last game in a Wiz uniform?

I am as liberal as they come, and I would support just about any gun regulation/restrictions. That being said, if Gil didn't make any real threat of violence, I find the league's reaction to this event to be outrageously inconsistent with any previous suspensions for even remotely similar acts. I'm not saying that he isn't deserving of a suspension, but c'mon, players who have committed far more serious acts have received penalties of relatively short duration.

Posted by: ZardsFan1 | January 7, 2010 2:19 PM | Report abuse
I agree. The league is going to get embarassed by some very expensive lawyers for their handling of this case as it pertains to Arenas. They better serious consider any further moves.

"I don't entirely disagree with your player evals, but voiding that contract would help the team quite a bit. For one thing, it would increase the team's value in a sale, by removing an increasingly toxic 'asset'. And a sale is what we're talking about here, right?"

Getting rid of Arenas would actually lower the team's monetary value. Arenas' contract, toxic or not, is an asset that has to be factored into the sale price. Getting rid of it would reduce the amount of money the team would command in a sale. Now from a sales attraction standpoint, moving Arenas might increase the interest of potential buyers, but not because the team would be more valuable. Just the opposite, actually.

Idiot that he is, Arenas is still the closest thing this team has had to a marquee player and the only one that (until recently, at least) fans would even consider paying to see. With him gone (and, at the very least, all of the team's upcoming FAs likely to follow in the summer), this franchise is a dented up beater on concrete blocks in someone's front yard. Most of the people who stop by to check out the for sale sign are interested mainly because it's dirt cheap and they might be able to strip it for parts.

The people clamoring for them to void Arenas's contract thinking it would free up FA money to make a run after a big name FA are going to be in for a rude awakening if it actually comes to pass.

None of which is to say that there's any chance of going back to business as usual if Arenas stays. That ship has sailed, obviously. But the idea that voiding his deal is the first step to a quick turnaround is overly optimistic, I think. It'll more likely be the first step to an even bigger fall than the one they're undergoing.

In the law there are two general categories of crimes: malum in se and malum in prohibitum. Malum in se, meaning bad in itself, consists of crimes of a nature that that are illegal because they are clearly contrary to the morals and principles of civilized society. This would include murder, rape, assault, and robbery. Malum in prohibitum, meaning wrong due to being prohibited, refers to statutorily created crimes. If GA is merely in violation of a law that prohibits the carrying or ownership of an unlicensed gun, then he has violated a statutorily created law similar to that of refusing to pay taxes or selling/buying stock based on inside information. These types of crimes do not generally cause injury to other people or society. Accordingly, there is no real basis for remorse. Do you think Martha Stewart had remorse? No, it's called regret. In the end, a court will determine whether sending Gil to jail will further the purpose of the statute, prohibiting unlicensed gun ownership, or whether Gil's ongoing contribution to the community and additional community service is a more just outcome.

Alright, lets say that all this plays out like most people around here want it to in that someway Gil gets suspended for the year, we can void his contract, and get rid of him. Thats what most everyone seems to want but you know what I was just thinking about?

What kind of Gil will be playing ball next year? We all know about knee injuries in sports and what does everyone always say about them? You are never all the way back until the following season or the 2nd year back. Then look at Gil's age. Next year he will be in his prime years and reaching his peak in terms of mental basketball.

Its obvious the the curse of Les Boulez is in effect and just the curse of our sports area peroid but I think it will be in even bigger effect next year if Gil is gone. To me it will be like we had him for these past 3 years including this season and basically gotten nothing out of him and now we will get rid of him at the time when he's going to be a monster. Its like the kind of stuff that always happeneds to us.

I think the situation will be compared to his draft. Everyone has Gil rated as the best 2nd round pick of the decade and a ton have him rated as the best or one of the best 2nd round picks of All Time. They think he was a steal and thats what it will be like next year if it goes down like people want it to. His contract is voided and no team wants to spend alot on him or take a chance on him so they will get him at a discount price and he will be one of the best players in the league. It will be one of the biggest steals in NBA History, basically like when the Pats got Moss for peanuts and we will again look like idiots for the last 3 years getting only 45 total games out of him in which he was still injuried in most of them and now letting him go at a time when he is at his peak and fully healthy. Dude will probably be like an MVP canidate somewhere next year and averaging like 28 & 9 while looking super explosive again and dropping 40 on us everytime he sees us.

I just dont know if this is the right time to bail on the guy because I think next year's version of Arenas will be the best Arenas ever and someone is going to get him for a steal. Me personally, Im still holding out hope that he can come back for the last 10-20 games of this season and play well

There also was no criminal intent on Arenas's part and the circumstances are weighed heavily in determining charging. The fact that the guns were not registered in DC is not as big of a deal as if the guns were not registered at all.

This is not a franchise to be supported right now. They've yet to realize they're in the business of winning basketball games and not assembling a group of do-gooders. The franchise also has a problem with loyalty. Years ago the team had a general manager named John Nash. He was the one who made the Chris Webber trade. Three years later they bad stabbed him and fired him. 7 years later they did the same to MJ. We know what they did with Resheed, Chris Webber and Earl (the Pearl) Monroe. Now when the time comes for them to stand by there player they revert to what they know best and throw him under the bus. They've yet to learn that winning is what changes the perception of a team, not getting rid of anyone who makes the franchise look bad.

Would David Stern have done the same thing if Kobe or LeBron had brought guns into the locker room? I don't think so. He only suspended Arenas because the Wizards suck this year.
1/7/2010 10:21:20 AM

Aw-w, poor GIL. Poor WIZARDS. Being picked on because that mean ol' STERN doesn't like being called names. LOL. Surgery can cure cancer. Time for MAJOR surgery where GILBERT and the WIZARDS are concerned.

Now you see, It's this type of ill-responsible comments and actions that has lead our society to this point. Someone tells you to "shut-up", and your ready to shoot them. And now your ready to make a case against Gil insensitivity?.. Please!!!

"It would be interesting to hear what the season ticket holders have to say about the situation."

I wont be renewing my season tickets if Gil is gone, Flip is the coach, EG the gm, and a bunch of "hopefuls" are on the floor.

Truthfully, I dont care that much about what he did based on what I make of the story so far. He's not my role model, he's the best player on the team I want to win games. He should be appropriately punished by the league and the law, then be back on-court.

I'd like to see him playing at a high level at Verizon, 12 months from now at which time I guarantee a dozen other scandals will have occurred around the country with Gil as yesterdays news.

And if the team were 2nd place in the East right now, wonder how many fans would be calling for attempts to void his contract?

Oh the FA money for 2010!! Get real. even if we had the money, there wont be any Dwade or Lebron coming here. Bosh has players around him and cant win, wont come here to be the franchise- nor should we want him.

Bottomline is the team needs to win games. Gil gives us the best chance for that AND he's under contract.

Shove him out the door in a fashion that cripples the franchise for another 5yrs and they can (finally) kiss my as$

"why has crittenton not been suspended (don't need legal proof of a criminal act to do that)?"

Good question. Lost in the chaos has been the question: where did Crittenton get that gun? He brought it with him. And his was loaded.

Posted by: Samson151

////////////////////////

Probably the same reason that Delonte West is still playing. Arenas owned up to the offense; whereas neither West nor Crittenton have. Also, Crittenton isn't playing with the team now, so it's not as pressing an issue.

I'd guess that if the league wanted to take action before law enforcement they might be able too, but in this case Arenas's admission probably removes some of his leverage with the league.

kinda like (rapper)TI only getting 366 days in jail for being a convicted felon caught with 15 machine guns ammo and silencers. it was his commitment to community service (1500 hours+ that had to be completed over the summer) and 2 reality shows aimed at helping at risk youth, that set the table for his unprecedented plea agreement. The two situations are completely different, however i know Gil has been a fixture in the communtiy since he signed his first contract here, and he could probably do more to raise gun awareness with his celebrity as a free man than in jail.

33dgriffin , you make some good points, but I have to take issue with this one:

"Years ago the team had a general manager named John Nash. He was the one who made the Chris Webber trade. Three years later they bad stabbed him and fired him."

John Nash was a terrible GM. This team was the punching bag of the league on his watch. Remember, he was the guy who tried to lowball Howard on his rookie deal, which led directly to him going to Miami getaway and the subsequent $100 mill contract do-over. That's why he was fired, and he had it coming. (And let's not even get into some of the draft picks and trades he made.)

this franchise is a dented up beater on concrete blocks in someone's front yard. Most of the people who stop by to check out the for sale sign are interested mainly because it's dirt cheap and they might be able to strip it for parts.

Posted by: kalo_rama | January 7, 2010 3:35 PM

love the Detroit allusion, Kal. lol @ both ur teams having the same record

Aw-w, poor GIL. Poor WIZARDS. Being picked on because that mean ol' STERN doesn't like being called names. LOL. Surgery can cure cancer. Time for MAJOR surgery where GILBERT and the WIZARDS are concerned.

Surgery can cure cancer? Gil's 3 surgeries sure didn't cure any cancer in the Wizards locker room. You can't blame him for being there if you balmed him when he wasn't. Can't have it both ways.

the truth is, winning puts people in the seats. Most of the people clamoring for him to go arent going to buy tickets or watch when the team is consistently a 19 win abomination

That's your truth not mine. I stopped showing my face in the GLOCK CENTER when he pulled that, "I'm leaving if you don't sign JAMISON" crap. That not the way top run a successful sports franchise, and I won't support it.

John Nash was a terrible GM. This team was the punching bag of the league on his watch. Remember, he was the guy who tried to lowball Howard on his rookie deal, which led directly to him going to Miami getaway and the subsequent $100 mill contract do-over. That's why he was fired, and he had it coming. (And let's not even get into some of the draft picks and trades he made.)

Posted by: kalo_rama | January 7, 2010 4:06 PM

John Nash was not great, but he was an upgrade from Bob Ferry. Also, it was Abe who didn't want to pay J. Howard. He wanted to change the rookie pay scale all by himself. It came back to bite him (Abe) when the CB changed and Howard became a unrestricted free agent after two years. However, he was not a great GM.

It was a joint venture. Go back and read some of Nash's quotes at the time. He didn't talk like a guy who was reluctantly carrying out the boss's orders. He took a very active hand in trying to tear down Howard's market value by publicly questioning everything about him, from his skil to his physical durability to his character. It was a classless tactic that came back to bite him in the ass.

I paid money this season because I enjoy watching Gilbert PLAY Basketball. I have never bought tickets before this season. All these people with agendas and opinions about the incident, calling Gil a thug are not paying NBA fans. Who gives two craps about what they think? I am a paying NBA fan and I want to see Gilbert play. If the Wizards chase Gilbert out of town I will never support the team again.

True, I cant see any franchise player, big free agent wanting to come here after seeing the way we dumped Webber, Jordan, Rip, and now our only star (wizards superstar ever). I dont consider Jordan a wizards superstar, he's Chicago's. Also, if the story is true, Gilbert was really trying to help the player who didnt have any money so that he wouldnt get dumped on and now all the blame is on Gilbert. Yes, he's a jokester and all, which I'm sure he will now see isnt cool, but I'm one to keep Gil. I'm not a season ticket holder but i have paid good money for the playoff season (yes, back in the 05-06 season) enough for them to keep me on the list because i spent a lot of money to see them. And if it wasnt for Gilbert I wouldnt have spent a dime on the wizards, since i was a redskins fan before then big time.

"Does anybody else feel intense hatred for Javaris Crittenton right now? It sounds to me like nobody would have even noticed this if he didnt throw a tantrum and snitch to the team trainer. He is not an NBA level ball player and i never wanted him on the team before this. I say we cut him right away.

Posted by: bosshog7169 | January 6, 2010 10:35 PM | Report abuse "

LOL!

Blaming JCritt for this debacle is like blaming Bo the dog for the underwear bomber's security slip.

Did the same idiot who criticized Arenas for tarnishing Pollin's memory just threaten to shoot someone on this blog? Precious.
===
Yes, yes he did. That might be my favorite moment of this whole story.

last season on many (most?) nights the Verizon was a morgue. Most of the concessions closed. You could go to the bathroom and be the only person in there. No lines. No energy whatsoever during the games. Just a mess.

When that happens for more than a season, all the FA money dries up, and nobody wants to sign here anyway.

So if the plan is "Dump Gil and rebuild", team is going to have to get lucky with a quickness

The Wizards will have to rebuild the team whether Arenas is suspended for the rest of the season (very likely) OR they go the route of voiding his contract. I think they will go the later route once he's been charged with a crime by the D.C. police. As a former Arenas fan, it's very sad that a player who brought people back to Verizon Center to see exciting basketball has likely played his last game here.

As a long-time Wizards fan, the reality is that the valued players like Jamison and Butler will be traded for young talent and draft picks. I'm sure that both are already thinking about their futures elsewhere and won't want be part of the rebuilding effort. Haywood, Miller, and Foye will be marketable FA's after the season who could be moved prior to the trade deadline. I don't see any of them in a Wizards uniform after this season.

Start thinking about the top 3-5 players that may be available in the draft, because that's the future of the Wizards. Except for NY, McGee, and AB, any and all of the current Wizards could be gone by the end of the season. EG will likely follow the Knicks plan and hope to clear cap space to sign a big name free agent in 2010 or 2011 to rebuild around.

last season on many (most?) nights the Verizon was a morgue. Most of the concessions closed.

Posted by: divi3 | January 7, 2010 4:43 PM

lol dude its like that now... on 400 level you can pump your own yuengling at several unmanned kiosks. i do it all the time. it's free of charge. alternatively, if Bud heavy is your thing you can get also help yourself to the plastic 16oz bottles at several unmanned fridges. Abe is gone now and so is Gilbert so no need to give them your hard earned sports-leisure money; more for Snyder come fall.

Please understand-not defending Arenas actions. Just noting... What would you rather have? Wits stating you played a practicial joke with four unloaded guns laying on a bench or wits stating you pulled out a gun, loaded it and chambered it? Wits if reports are accurate corroborate Arenas but are not corraborating Critt.

"When I walked over to my locker, I saw Arenas messing with some things over there and I asked 'What's going on?' He displayed four handguns that he had setup, and told me to 'Pick one'. I was so shocked to see them laid out there, I wasn't even sure if they were real, so without thinking about it, I picked one up and then almost immediately dropped it on the floor. Maybe when I did that, maybe the other guys standing around thought I pulled one out on my own, or thought I threw something. I don't know. But that's how it went down. I wasn't carrying a gun of my own and I never put a clip in one or chambered one."

Please understand-not defending Arenas actions. Just noting... What would you rather have? Wits stating you played a practicial joke with four unloaded guns laying on a bench or wits stating you pulled out a gun, loaded it and chambered it? Wits if reports are accurate corroborate Arenas but are not corraborating Critt.

Posted by: ptp23 | January 7, 2010 5:18 PM | Report abuse

It doesn't matter.

The felony/crime has to do with "possessing" a firearm.

If Critt was not discovered with a firearm, if no firearm was found in his locker or car or among his personal effects at the stadium, and Critt denies that he possessed a firearm, then you don't have enough to convict the guy of possessing a firearm.

"When I walked over to my locker, I saw Arenas messing with some things over there and I asked 'What's going on?' He displayed four handguns that he had setup, and told me to 'Pick one'. I was so shocked to see them laid out there, I wasn't even sure if they were real, so without thinking about it, I picked one up and then almost immediately dropped it on the floor. Maybe when I did that, maybe the other guys standing around thought I pulled one out on my own, or thought I threw something. I don't know. But that's how it went down. I wasn't carrying a gun of my own and I never put a clip in one or chambered one."

Posted by: p1funk | January 7, 2010 5:21 PM | Report abuse
Hmmm...so why would teammates lie about that to get another player in more serious trouble? Gil's in enough. Why make things worse for another teammate? Guess they really hated Critt.

Hmmm...so why would teammates lie about that to get another player in more serious trouble? Gil's in enough. Why make things worse for another teammate? Guess they really hated Critt.

Posted by: ptp23 | January 7, 2010 5:27 PM | Report abuse

Crittendon's response:

"I'm not saying that my other teammates are lying. I'm just saying they are mistaken. I guess that maybe they saw me pick up one of Gil's guns and do something with it, and they thought it was my own gun. I can't speak for them or what they are saying. All I konw is that I didn't ahve a gun of my own."

"When I walked over to my locker, I saw Arenas messing with some things over there and I asked 'What's going on?' He displayed four handguns that he had setup, and told me to 'Pick one'. I was so shocked to see them laid out there, I wasn't even sure if they were real, so without thinking about it, I picked one up and then almost immediately dropped it on the floor. Maybe when I did that, maybe the other guys standing around thought I pulled one out on my own, or thought I threw something. I don't know. But that's how it went down. I wasn't carrying a gun of my own and I never put a clip in one or chambered one."

Posted by: p1funk | January 7, 2010 5:21 PM | Report abuse

funk, if that "story" isn't true, and he tells that to the grand jury or in court then isn't that perjury? wouldn't that land him in a lot more trouble than just owning up to it? what about the alleged geek squad locker room video? i rarely disagree with u funk, but it doesn't even seem like there is any REAL beef b/w Gil and Critt at this point. the accounts make it sounds like everyone involved was joking (didn't wise's article say the critt was singing after he chambered his bullet and that gil laughed at him?)they tried to cover it up and it didn't work, now everyone has to tell the truth.

"When I walked over to my locker, I saw Arenas messing with some things over there and I asked 'What's going on?' He displayed four handguns that he had setup, and told me to 'Pick one'. I was so shocked to see them laid out there, I wasn't even sure if they were real, so without thinking about it, I picked one up and then almost immediately dropped it on the floor. Maybe when I did that, maybe the other guys standing around thought I pulled one out on my own, or thought I threw something. I don't know. But that's how it went down. I wasn't carrying a gun of my own and I never put a clip in one or chambered one."

Posted by: p1funk | January 7, 2010 5:21 PM | Report abuse

funk, if that "story" isn't true, and he tells that to the grand jury or in court then isn't that perjury? wouldn't that land him in a lot more trouble than just owning up to it? what about the alleged geek squad locker room video? i rarely disagree with u funk, but it doesn't even seem like there is any REAL beef b/w Gil and Critt at this point. the accounts make it sounds like everyone involved was joking (didn't wise's article say the critt was singing after he chambered his bullet and that gil laughed at him?)they tried to cover it up and it didn't work, now everyone has to tell the truth.

Posted by: lilhollywood10 | January 7, 2010 5:33 PM | Report abuse
He's a lawyer. That's apparently the advice he would give to his client, Crit to tell authorities and the Grand Jury.

damn wish we could have drafted chris douglas roberts 2 yrs ago. he lookin pretty good. dont give up antwan to the cavs they have nobody on there team worth it. we should have traded caron and the pick for amere.damn were screwed

damn wish we could have drafted chris douglas roberts 2 yrs ago. he lookin pretty good. dont give up antwan to the cavs they have nobody on there team worth it. we should have traded caron and the pick for amere.damn were screwed

It's all a case of contradicting statements and that's not sufficient to prove anything.

Posted by: p1funk

///////////////////////

It depends on what the charges are. If there's eye witness testimony and video evidence that contradicts Crit., the weight of the evidence could tilt against him.

The other side of this too, if he removed a gun from the scene to avoid prosecution that could create another set of problems. If the prosecutors think he's lying too, it can have consequences for any type of a plea bargain. They might try simply prosecuting him on a lesser charge understanding that if they gets a conviction he'll face a steeper penalty.

my trouble with this whole legal system and this process is, here gilbert comes out honestly and admits to him having the guns...and what not...but from everything i've understood...he would have been better off disposing of the guns somehow and deny everything...even stern wouldnt have been able to punish him at that point without the investigation...so a guy gets punished for being honest...i mean is it me or is that a litle f'd up....i mean what do we teach kids, to be honest...and here he is honest and cooperating and he is the one who gets in all the trouble...this whole thing is bs...its wrong to crucify arenas

"my trouble with this whole legal system and this process is, here gilbert comes out honestly and admits to him having the guns...and what not...but from everything i've understood...he would have been better off disposing of the guns somehow and deny everything"

Not right.

What's gotten Arenas the early suspension are his actions AFTER the incident.

e.g. public comments and antics (appearance of not taking the matter seriously).

As far as the criminal side of the equation it's hard to say at this point, but Delonte West situation sounds like it could potentially be much worse. Same story with Crit if he had his own gun, loaded it, and then disposed of the weapon.

Withholding or destroying evidence is a crime unto itself.

The best thing that Arenas could have done -- and the best thing he can do at this point is to follow the advice of his lawyer.

I'm guessing that his lawyer has probably been saying: "no comment" when it comes to public statements.

It's a different story when it comes to the law enforcement investigation.

if gil ends up with a misdemeanor charge and nothing more, wizards are fools not to keep him after he agrees to do the bazillion hrs of community gun awareness stuff and donate and blah blah blah

it's hard to believe that so many people who have supposedly been fans of this moribund organization for a long time can so quickly want to ship that kind of talent out of town. It doesnt grow on trees, and you cant just say "now we rebuild!" and get another top10 player.

The best thing that Arenas could have done -- and the best thing he can do at this point is to follow the advice of his lawyer.

right i'm with u on that...but again...i mean lawyers give good advice to murderers...and even for them if they openly admit to it...they are definitely done...they get at most a shorter sentence... where if they keep quiet they can hope to beat the charges like OJ.... i mean gilbert committed legal suicide by opening his mouth...delonte wests situation is much worse...the difference is that he hasnt admitted to anything...i dunno i just feel like this is all unfair...

i agree with u divi3...i dont think lifetime bullets/wizards fans could say ship him out...i've painfully endured many years of this franchises ineptitude...gilbert did what even jordan could not do...he brought a franchise out of bottom of the league to respectability...did we not learn anything from the webber wallace years...ship gil out...and he will tear our hearts out for many years to come...i dont understand how people can get so worked out over a bad prank...i agree he should serve the punishment that fits the crime...whatever the law decides is appropriate for gilbert i will agree with 100 percent...but all this other stuff is dumb

"i dont understand how people can get so worked out over a bad prank."

compared to what so many other current players in every sport have done, Gil doesnt rank that high. Of course, I think Haynesworth stomping of Gurard's face shows more 'moral turpitude' than Arenas' unloaded guns.

a lot of people have a vendetta against him already though (boycotting games because of his blog??), so it makes sense they want him gone.

if ownership wants him gone, so be it, i'm just saying dont wreck the franchise for 5yrs in your thirst to move him. If he cant be moved without screwing ourselves over, KEEP HIM.

The other point that has been stated, even in the article that was linked, why paint Gil as the NBA league "Thug". Please, Gilbert, when we had Steven Jackson and Artest fighting the fans, going into the stands. Kobe, even though no charges, was a mess, but his team stood by him and he's now back on top, even getting the endorsements and all. This has been overblown and hyped to the max.
I remember the Gil who scored for schools, waited on the Katrina bus, gave a party for the DC hometown at Love, he said the party was for the city, etc...even goes around to play at Barry Farms during the summer to be accessible to the kids who cant afford high priced verizon center games. Even the trampoline stint at the All Star game was because Shaq agreed to pay him big money for his Foundation. This is just ridiculous.

"Legal analysts are saying this sounds like a misdemeanor. Then Wiz can't void Gilbert's contract. Wiz will probably have to trade him with young talent/draft picks since it appears they no longer want him around. UNLESS, Leonsis buys the team and fires Ernie and has a soft spot for Gilbert."

lol....wow, things like this happen and I wonder if people can actually read. What moronic legal analyst's said such nonsense. The DC gun law is very clear! He is facing FELONY charges. Could he be charged with less? Sure. But, he's got another gun conviction in CA, conflicting statements, the Feds involved for transporting firearms across state lines etc... He can laugh it off all he wants, but he is in serious trouble. Another FACT in this case, is that 40% of people facing these same charges actually spend time in a cell in DC.

And, stop bringing up Stephen Jackson, AI et al....do you guys really not see the differences? This was in direct violation of NBA rules as this took place on NBA property. Therefore, it will be handled differently and probably much more harshly.

I am no lawyer, but if there are two or three credible witnesses that testify that JC did in fact pull out his own weapon and chamber a round then I would imagine it's not going to be a cakewalk for him to walk away from charges either. At the very least, I bet it's enough for David Stern to ban him for life from the NBA. Of course, TMZ is reporting that the league, team or whomever is trying to recover actual security camera footage from that day.

To me, GA's whole story is bs. I almost guarantee he brought those weapons to the VC after the incident on the plane and everything else has been a cover-up for him and JC.

By the way, what the hell is JC singing for after he chambered a round? That might be the most bizarre thing about the whole story. What is that? Is there a song called "Dance B*tch"?

"Arenas is a dumbass, but he's a harmless dumbass whose foolishness has unfortunately positioned him as a stalking horse for a lot of people's agendas."

Really? I don't consider dumbasses playing with guns to be harmless. Just ask Jason Williams. He was another harmless dumbass NBA jokester who just so happened to accidentally shoot his driver and kill him. Ha ha ha....

And, who gives two sh*ts about all this agenda talk. Is protecting the league and it's image one of Stern's primary responsibilities? Sure. So what? Arenas and Crittenton have gone beyond the pale by any reasonable measure and deserve anything coming their way. Like Tracee Hamilton said, Stern essentially was saving Arenas from himself bc his words and deeds were getting dumber by the day.

At least post incident, Crittenton has been smart enough not to incriminate himself and make light of the situation.

I'm no lawyer, but if my reading (and Mike Lee's writing) of the potential charges is right, I think it's highly unlikely he gets charged with any felony counts. He'll probably get multiple counts of misdemeanor possession, no jail time, and a fine.

Posted by: kalo_rama | January 7, 2010 3:05 PM

Given your admitted lack of experience in the area, upon what do you base your supposition young man? Are you using the same reasoning you applied to your argument that Gil's suspension wouldn't exceed Stephen Jackson's?

Start thinking about the top 3-5 players that may be available in the draft, because that's the future of the Wizards. Except for NY, McGee, and AB, any and all of the current Wizards could be gone by the end of the season.

Really everyone makes me sick on this site, We are talking about Gilbert who some of you were dying to sign a new contract. True he made a big mistake but this doesn't mean he shouldn't come back to play for us. He is one of the best players in the NBA and we are fortunate to have him. Team needs to get rid of some other players not Gilbert. I am sorry but getting rid of him and then what?? who is willing to come here? Please don't day dream about Wade, Lebron, Bosh or anyone else they are not coming unless we put a nucleus together no one wants to come here. Gilbert is not the problem, Ernie is because we had a chance to get Amare but he blew it. Ted Leonsis will get rid of Ernie because he has paper players but they can't play together. We have one of the best coaches in the game with some good players and one super star and we managed to win 11 games so far. Gilbert has done his part, Antwan too but no one else

Abe Pollin's family ought to be ashamed of themselves. I will no longer give a penny of my money to the Wizards organization nor to the NBA until this nonsense and character assassination of Gilbert Arenas stops.

Funny, I don't recall Abe Pollin doing much when Chris Webber was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, driving under the influence of marijuana and five other traffic-related violations after being pulled over for speeding on the way to practice at the then-MCI Center.

Funny, I don't recall Abe Pollin doing much when Jerry Stackhouse was charged with assault in a dispute over a rental contract in which, clearly, Stackhouse was in the wrong.

Funny, I don't recall Abe Pollin doing much when Juwan Howard and Chris Webber were accused of sexual assault against a woman.

Funny, I don't recall Abe Pollin doing much more than a 1-game suspension when Rod Strickland was arrested for a DUI, nor the second time Strickland was arrested, nor the 3rd time he was arrested. Nor do I recall Pollin doing much when Strickland was arrested a 4th time for refusing to leave a night club that was being shut down by fire marshals.

Funny, I don't recall Abe Pollin doing much when Andray Blatche was arrested for reckless driving. Nor I do recall Pollin doing much when Blatche was arrested for sexual solicitation. In fact, as I recall, Abe Pollin and the Wizards offered Blatche a new contract shortly thereafter.

Ah.....the double standards.

The politically correct, anti-2nd Amendment, goons who have decided to go after Gilbert Arenas for an innocent mistake in which he has not even been charged with a crime are the real scum of the earth--not Arenas.

I agree with Barno1, really what can the Wizards do without the services of Arenas? please don't let this be another C-Webb deal .. for us to trade him for a washed up gaurd in Mitch Richmond. If they trade Arenas it will even be bigger than that.

Well every regular poster here knows where everyone else stands. It's up to the legal system to render an outcome.

As I've said far too many times, I think ARENAS has to go for this team to progress toward a functional NBA franchise. Some agree, some disagree, some are undecided, but none will make a determination to that effect, least of all myself.

But I can control where I spend my money, and it won't be for ARENAS jerseys, and WIZARDS tix.

I really don't think GA will be charged with anything more than misdemeanors, slapped with fines, and required community service. I believe he will ultimately be reinstated by the league, and to this team. I don't think his contract will be voided, and I can't see him anywhere else.

He's paid over 22 million for the last year of this obscenity of a contract. No other club is going to pay that sum for him as damaged goods both physically and emotionally. He stays and the franchise continues to suffer as a result.

"Really? I don't consider dumbasses playing with guns to be harmless. Just ask Jason Williams. He was another harmless dumbass NBA jokester who just so happened to accidentally shoot his driver and kill him."

Nice speech. Too bad none of it has any relationship to the truth. (A) He wasn't "playing" with the guns. He wasn't pointing them, waving them, twirling them, juggling them, or doing anything else that could even be loosely described as "playing with" them. Hell, he wasn't even touching them when Crittenton found them in his locker; he was on the other side of the room. (B) They weren't loaded. Hard to shoot someone, accidentally or otherwise, with an unloaded gun. (C) Jayson Williams was drunk off his ass. Presumably, a couple of hours before tip-off, Arenas wasn't.

Gil's lawyer screwed this thing up big time.
The first thing he shudda done was to have Gil's lips sewn shut.

You don't think his lawyer told him to be quiet? Of course he did.

This is Gilbert Arenas.

If what we've heard is true, he shouldn't be in jail for a day. Heavy fine, community service, probation? Okay but not prison time. He's not a danger.

One thing seems clear: David Stern is going to bring the hammer down big time on everybody involved on this one. For all intents and purposes, this Wizards team next year at this time will be completely different. Almost an entirely new franchise.

Nobody else has said it, so I will. Critt will not remain a Wizard long. The fans in the arena will treat him colder than they did Kwame in his last season here, and that was COLD! You can't survive here once they turn on you the first time. The only chance he has is if every single thing out of Arenas' mouth and the other witnesses is proven outright to be lies. If it is true, Critt has no business remaining in DC.

It's a shame, because he really wanted to be an NBA player. Maybe he'll make it on another team, but I suspect he has at least as much legal and league trouble coming his way as Gilbert, unless everyone else is lying.

And while we're diggin up names of guys who did much more heinous stuff with much less controversy and less stiff punishment . . . anyone remember Ruben Patterson, aka "The Nanny Stopper"? In the span of 2 years he plead guilty to attempted rape (of his kid's nanny) and misdemeanor assault (of a guy who scratched his car), and was arrested for domestic assault (his wife later dropped the charges and divorced him). Apparently Stern considered him "fit" to play in the NBA, as he stuck around for 6 more years after the last charge.

Ted Leonsis is a business man and he will most likely get rid of Ernie Grunfeld and half our team .. do you really believe Phil Saunders will stay here if this team doesn't improve .. again it has to do with management .. Ernie will be gone

Yeah, thanks for reminding me, David Stern said that Gilbert was not fit to play in the League.

Too me that goes deep. That is a statement that goes to the core of Gilbert Arenas' character. In a court of Law, I do not believe that the statement can be justified.

Especially, after initially when the bringing of the guns to the VC did not dictate an immediate expulsion.

Now, if Stern had come out and said that he erred in his initial assessment of the situation and that Gilbert should have been suspended immediately for the act, then Yeah, I am more inclined to go along with that.

But now to come out and suspend him for acting stupidly, like what he did in Philly, is destroying the credibility of the League...Please, give me a break.

No one knows the full context of that huddle display and to take it further and fine the Wizard players as well, is like setting yourself on fire.

BulletsFan78, this organization can't be that clueless. UhhUhh, I forgot, you been making that case all along.

If what we've heard is true, he shouldn't be in jail for a day. Heavy fine, community service, probation? Okay but not prison time. He's not a danger.

One thing seems clear: David Stern is going to bring the hammer down big time on everybody involved on this one. For all intents and purposes, this Wizards team next year at this time will be completely different. Almost an entirely new franchise.

Posted by: SteveMG | January 7, 2010 7:56 PM | Report abuse "

I don't think Gilby should go to jail, yet.

He should go to Juvenile detention until he turns 16, and then be shipped off to jail.

The evening news had Ovie on speaking for Arenas, saying he's a good guy and he felt bad about it, and it was a joke gone bad, etc. He said Gilbert filled the arena and all and he liked him, something to that affect. He said his teamates are rooting for Gilbert also. Perhaps he can put in a word for Gil.
And I just cant understand Stern's statement either, how is Gil unfit to play.

"One thing seems clear: David Stern is going to bring the hammer down big time on everybody involved on this one."

And the hard truth is that the Wizards on-the-court performance makes the decision easier.

I almost wonder too, if the Wizards were at the top of the conference, and Arenas was tearing things up would EG have referred this matter to the front office, or would he have tried to resolve this one internally?

We'll never know for certain, but this one reminds me a bit of the Mike Leach situation at Texas Tech. Big contract; under-performance the year after the signing; employer looks for an out; finds one, and he's gone.

EG's fortunes were linked to Arenas's performance before this incident. They may still be; although this one potentially gives him an out.

Having said all that, Arenas should have kept his mouth shut. His words and actions after the NY Post story happened gave the league and the team the pretext they needed to bring down the hammer. Really poor judgment. I'd like to think he wouldn't do the same thing if he had the chance too. Hopefully, he'll get the chance -- even though it'll probably be for a lot less money and with a different team.

He's been acting the same way he has the entire time he's been in the league, like a clueless overgrown kind who thinks life is a playground. Funny how Stern didn't have a problem with it when his act was helping fill NBA arenas.

And before you start in with the "guns, guns, guns, blah blah"
remember: Stern was quite clear in stating that he did not suspend Arenas because of the gun allegations. He suspended him (and declared him "unfit" to play in the NBA) because of his foolish, immature behavior in the last few days, well after the actual gun incident occurred and came to light. But that kind of behavior was, in no significant way, out of character from what people have come to expect from Arenas over the past few years. So if that behavior makes him unfit now, shouldn't he have been unfit 3 or 4 years ago, when he was being named (by Stern in one case) to All-Star games and featured prominently in league marketing?

"If you or I pulled some of this stuff at our jobs, our boss would say we're not fit to work there."

Another point in this whole saga of events. It appears that the Wizards think it is in their interest to come down on the side of bandishing Gilbert and any acts of their current players aligned with his predicament.

I believe they would be wrong. Destroying Gilbert and tarnishing other players along with him IMO diminishes the value of the Team.

Ted Leonsis is gonna be laughing all the way to the bank. And what does David Stern care as long as he wins in this matter, after all, the salary that the Wizards would be paying Gilbert goes to the League office.

You would think that the Wizards would want to standing up for their own self interest.

But no, for some odd reason they think that the lack of due process to Gilbert and their players is in their interest. It only devalues the sale value of the Team.

Ted is smart man and he will not pay top dollar for an organization that does stand up for itself and standing up for your players is first and foremost.

We talk about what Abe stood for, but the Wizard organization is not honoring what he stood for. Trust me. They Aren't.

When did everyone become a nun? The reality is, sports fans are those who have a current high level of tolerance for baloney of all types. I've faded in and out of being a fan of the several sports and leagues for a variety of reasons over the years. Several times I have been fed up enough to not care any more. I left NFL interest when the league let Indianapolis steel not only the team but the logo, name and colors. At least they learned from that. I left baseball interest several times over strikes, contract sizes, turnstile team rosters etc. Those with low tolerance for baloney on the basketball court, immature 20 something men, outrageous salaries, or crab dribbles (or on-court whining for that matter) are probably not current basketball fans. After taking many years off from basketball fandom, I'm a current big fan. I'm in a period when I can laugh easily at myself, and a variety of other characters. Unfit may be a serious charge, but unfit for the NBA is just downright hilarious. Does unfit include floppers, whiners, crab dribblers, bullies, instigators, taunters, 4 steppers to the basket? I currently have high tolerance. I know many, many people who couldn't care less about the NBA, specifically because of things Stern allows. I'm not arguing about Stern's position, I'm just saying it is a funny, and deeper issue.

By the way, am I confused, or didn't Lebron have a pre-game ritual involving shooting craps, an illegal activity in most of the cities he plays in.

When did everyone become a nun? The reality is, sports fans are those who have a current high level of tolerance for baloney of all types. I've faded in and out of being a fan of the several sports and leagues for a variety of reasons over the years. Several times I have been fed up enough to not care any more. I left NFL interest when the league let Indianapolis steel not only the team but the logo, name and colors. At least they learned from that. I left baseball interest several times over strikes, contract sizes, turnstile team rosters etc. Those with low tolerance for baloney on the basketball court, immature 20 something men, outrageous salaries, or crab dribbles (or on-court whining for that matter) are probably not current basketball fans. After taking many years off from basketball fandom, I'm a current big fan. I'm in a period when I can laugh easily at myself, and a variety of other characters. Unfit may be a serious charge, but unfit for the NBA is just downright hilarious. Does unfit include floppers, whiners, crab dribblers, bullies, instigators, taunters, 4 steppers to the basket? I currently have high tolerance. I know many, many people who couldn't care less about the NBA, specifically because of things Stern allows. I'm not arguing about Stern's position, I'm just saying it is a funny, and deeper issue.

By the way, am I confused, or didn't Lebron have a pre-game ritual involving shooting craps, an illegal activity in most of the cities he plays in.

"Can we really blame Arenas for being slow to understand the seriousness of his transgression when Delonte West still toils for the Cavaliers after getting popped by police while tooling around on a motorcycle strapped with a 9mm Beretta, a .357 Ruger, a shotgun slung over his shoulder and enough ammo to film the say-hello-to-my-little-friend scene of Scarface?"

This is so simple. Provided you aren't in a field that requires a firearm, if you take a gun into the office, YOU GET FIRED. I own a business. If my best employee, my main breadwinner, brought a gun to the office, I WOULD FIRE THEM. Immediately. Without explanation. Gilbert should get the same treatment as anyone else would.

Exactly. He should get the same treatment that anyone else who plays in the NBA and is accused of/charged with breaking the law or violating league rules gets/has gotten." As of this moment, he is not getting that.

Wizards mgt could have come off smelling like roses with all fans (except for the crazy ones), players, league with the following statement about the huddle: "our players, in an effort to show solidarity and support for each other, and in a plea for others to not blow an unfortunate and poorly conceived locker room prank out of proportion, performed a pre-game huddle that offended a number of viewers. Team management has discussed this situation with the players and it is mutually understood that many viewers were offended, although the players' actions were well intentioned. The players apologize as a group to those who were offended by the pre game activities".

Another employee is "arrested by police while tooling around on a motorcycle strapped with a 9mm Beretta, a .357 Ruger, a shotgun slung over his shoulder and enough ammo to film the say-hello-to-my-little-friend scene of Scarface?"

Larry, Gil deserves to be terminated by the NBA. Playing pro sports for millions of dollars isn't a birthright. It's a serious situation bringing guns to work. It's not funny, it's menacing, it affects the safety of people where they work. Gil's mocking reaction was horrifying and compounded the situation.

On top of that, did anyone notice the body language of the other Wizards when on the court with Gil? You think they like being in this situation? Most of the Wizards are thinking "get this clown out of here."

said it last night, will say it again: a)I agree guns were WRONG in an NBA locker room, b) dcmusician is WRONG if he is implying that an unloaded gun is unacceptable in ANY workplace. Example #1 truck depot, example #2 small repair shop with mutually minded gun owners, example #3 celebrity's office. Too obvious to even bother with are fishing / hunting shop, hunting weigh station, farm supply store, gun store, etc., etc.

So please, don't create your own reality. I'll give you this, I didn't name GOVT or CORPORATE OFFICES, but I named workplaces. I have first hand experience with #1 and #2 and both had offices where guns were acceptable, so don't bother arguing. Again, Gilbert was 100% wrong in his setting, but don't get all pious as if everyone is just like you.

Now that's a point I agree with. If I were taking over, it would be for less or someone else could pick up the slack. I don't think IRENE and the rest of the POLLIN family wants to keep ownership under the present circumstances.

I didn't see the same body language from the Wizards players. My sense is that there are some people in the locker room that probably liked playing with Gil and others who didn't -- not sure what the impact of the gun incident was on their judgment of him as a teammate.

As far as a life-time ban, that strikes me as a pretty steep penalty. I agree with ragtop4spd in the sense that not all work environments are the same. The simple fact that the NBA had to make it explicit that "you can't bring guns to the arena" suggests that the activity may have been fairly wide-spread and tolerated at one point.

I'd be hard-pressed to think that he will make this kind of mistake again.

If it's understood too that he's gone with any back-sliding, that weighs in the balance too.

I guess worst comes to worst there's probably some good money to be made in one of the international leagues.

Steven A. Smith was doing an interview on CNN I believe, and he basically crucified Gilby also....and deservedly so.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | January 7, 2010 10:12 PM | Report abuse

Dude, do people still pay attention to SMITH. The last thing I remember him saying was "I'd trade KWAME BROWN for a bag of chips." Doesn't sound like he's got much respect for this franchise. I'd sure rather have CARON BUTLER than KB though.

"Suddenly, the Wizards’ statement insisted that Arenas’ air-gun act and smart-mouthed comments are “unacceptable,” and sniffed that “some of our players appeared to find Gilbert’s behavior in Philadelphia amusing.” They punctuated the proclamation with pure mythology: “Under Abe Pollin’s leadership, our organization never tolerated such behavior, and never will.”

Sure, the Wizards never tolerated such behavior – all they did was encourage and enable and market and ultimately reward it. The Pollins never minded Arenas’ comedy act when the Verizon Center was packed and the jump shots were falling, when the blogs were clicking and the jerseys selling. The Pollins never minded Arenas’ act when his coaches pleaded he wouldn’t listen, when teammates growled he wouldn’t pass, when everyone understood it was impossible to ever stand up to him because Abe would always side with him.

Now, the franchise is abandoning him, and wants badly the chance to void the $80 million remaining on his untradeable contract, on a basketball comedian whose act has dried up. Privately, Arenas knows the Wizards are hell-bent on voiding his deal; he knows they’ve abandoned him. Arenas is a political pawn now."

Things are getting way to personel between the organization and Gilbert. He's never been a malicious person, and his intentions are genuinely good. Unfortunately, the nature of guns in DC, under the ownership in transition and the recent death of Abe Pollin, and the way he reacted in Philly, Gilbert deserves a long suspension.

He will be charged with a misdemeanor, and it's Done, let's move forward, the damage is done, and we can salvage what's left. If Gilby has genuine remorse, I feel this organization has no choice but to forgive.

Gilby will b back

Gilby will be back in a Wiz uniform...

Gilbert will be back

Gilby will be back at a Wiz, and I will root for him after he shows true remorse.

From Wiz website: Through the Gilbert Scores for Schools program, donated $100 for every point he scored at Verizon Center to a different Washington, DC area school each game during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasonsJoined NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson for the Freddie Mac Hoops for the Homeless Basketball Tournament at Verizon Center in June, 2007, to benefit six non-profit organizations that serve the homeless…Recognized by The Sporting News as one of the top “Good Guys” in sports in 2005 and 2006…Has a collection of over 500 autographed jerseys of past and present players, and purchased a chair used and autographed by President Barack Obama at a Wizards game with a $25,000 donation to Wizards Care…Has created the Zero 2 Hero Foundation to promote the safety and well-being of children by raising funds to support organizations that aid in the preservation of families through foster care, adoption and child welfare services, as well as to help the homeless…Named the NBA Community Assist Award winner for the month of August, 2005…Purchased $18,000 worth of goods and delivered them to Hurricane Katrina victims sheltered at the DC Armory in September, 2005…Was featured in Essence Magazine as part of the magazine’s “Do Right Men” issue…

You're right Larry. Stern suspended Gil for clowning not guns. You can break the rules, but you better not clown the commish? Gimme a break Stern.

From http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=granderson/100107: "Stern's inconsistency is a problem, but it isn't as bad as his moral posturing after the fact. If you're going to massage the league's disciplinary standards based on who kisses the ring and when, then spare us the rhetoric suggesting a code of ethics is in play. If you're going to wait to see if the public makes a big deal out of a situation before you respond to it, then don't release statements sprayed with hints of morality."

The situation does look like it's gotten pretty personal with Stern and the Pollin family. Maybe a suspension for the rest of the season won't be such a bad thing. Gil's stock will rise after the 2010 free agents sign. And even after the play-offs his contract won't look so bad when compared to the deal Rashard Lewis has.

Yeah, thanks for reminding me, David Stern said that Gilbert was not fit to play in the League.

Too me that goes deep. That is a statement that goes to the core of Gilbert Arenas' character. In a court of Law, I do not believe that the statement can be justified.

Especially, after initially when the bringing of the guns to the VC did not dictate an immediate expulsion.

Now, if Stern had come out and said that he erred in his initial assessment of the situation and that Gilbert should have been suspended immediately for the act, then Yeah, I am more inclined to go along with that.

But now to come out and suspend him for acting stupidly, like what he did in Philly, is destroying the credibility of the League...Please, give me a break.

No one knows the full context of that huddle display and to take it further and fine the Wizard players as well, is like setting yourself on fire.

BulletsFan78, this organization can't be that clueless. UhhUhh, I forgot, you been making that case all along.

this current organization is a complete joke...from the current managers to the last player at the end of the bench. at this exact moment there is no one on this team that i can say deserves the respect of this city (that includes Antwan who I always thought was professional-although his defensive prowess left a lot to be desired) they should blow it up before the trade deadline...except the fact that they will be lottery bound for the next 3-5 years and slowly, painstakenly try to put together a worthy product that D.C. can be proud of...as it currently stands this entire organization should be banned from the NBA...this is ludicrous...truly pathetic!

GA supporters are truly delusional...this young guy brought weapons into his workplace!!!! loaded or unloaded it does not matter!!! this is a truly foolish, immature, dangerous and border line insane action people!!! look GA's talent is indisputable we all understand this but talent does not (or should not) overide common sense and the law...Gil showed no respect for either...i work in a government building...what do u think would happen to me if i brought weapons to work? Gil works in a facility that houses hundreds of people daily and thousands when an event occurs...when you bring weapons into an enviroment like that(without professionally trained personnel) you invite major negative situations!!! there were hundreds of other safe options gil had to dispose of those weapons in a safe manner but he chose to bring them to his place of employment and play some macho bravado joke on one of his teammates...and the irony of it was that the teammate was prepared to go "wild west" with him!!! which opens up a whole other can of non-sensical worms...no bloggers--don't cry for Gil...he is a grown man and his current situations is all on him! of course we all should be willing to forgive but he must be judge according to the law that has been established...after that we can discuss whether or not this young brother should be allowed to play for the wizards ever again...as always peace...

try it in d.c. or anywhere with gun control laws and see what happens...i bet your life changes for the worse if you are caught...not to mention if you are brandishing it you may get shot because law enforcement personnel don't know it's not loaded (point it at one and see if their weapon are loaded or not)...this is the reason why there are laws concerning firearms (loaded or unloaded)...c'mon you must realize that this situation could have escalated into something much more serious...what if arenas had pointed the unloaded weapon at jarvis? from what i understand jarvis weapon was loaded! laws are in place to try and eliminate these types of situations...no matter how you spin it Gil was very irresponsible and he placed lives in jeopardy-including his own.

the immature GA make all emotinal.It is hard to think right when emotion dominate.All the players around him during his childish act are going to face some sort of punishment.Stern basicaly deside to suspend him emotinaly with out cheeking consiquences.The stattment he made about the capablity of Arenas is some thing that should be made by a group of physicians if he is trying to say Arenas is sick.This is bad to NBA.West is still playing in NBA.It should have been enough to take some money from Arenas pocket and warn him to cut down is activitis about his aligation.Why an emergency decision needed on Arenas? he was not armed, their was no brawl.It is all about emotion and personal feelings.It is very sad to see an immature baller is manipulating the whole nation .Shame for wiz to pull down Arenas image,i do not think they know what they are doing, he is still their superstar player, he is not convicted for crime.

But, left to folks like you, he's guilty, no need to prosecute, just take his livlihood, lock him up and throw away the key.

LarryInClintonMD.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | January 8, 2010 8:43 AM | Report abuse

Larry, you are confusing Gilby's due process rights in a court of law, and Gilby's responsibilities as an NBA player under the CBA, his contract, and any other set of policies/regulations that he's agreed to and bound to as an NBA player.

Those are 2 separate things.

What Gilby did was a clear violation of the CBA. He's admitted to doing it, and Stern took the action.

Whether having an unloaded handgun at the arena is "dangerous" is irrelevant. It is a violation of the terms of his employment.

And, even moreso, it is illegal according to the laws of DC.

You can beef with the "fairness" of the law/policy if you want; but it is what it is and Stern's suspension does not violate any due process.

LarryinClinton,
Can you please explain what Curt Flood has to do with David Stern suspending Gil indefinitely? The Curt Flood lawsuit was totally unrelated to due process, but went to the heart of baseball's antitrust exemption, or in otherwords, MLB preventing players from becoming free agents. Furthermore, I believe that NBA players possess due process rights because they can appeal disciplinary decisions to the league and by way of arbitration.

why is this conversation so circular. Larry does not need to re-explain a point found here probably 20 times - Stern WAS willing to give due process even though the CBA was clearly violated, and THEN he flip-flopped because he was offended. As I understand it, it is his right to flip flop, and it is the right of others to question why he did this without due process after he commmited to wait and see, as he has done with many other players. It's a good debate, but still, we know why he did it, Stern decided the antics were offensive and out of control. And we also know that he superceded the due process that he initially supported.

No free agent of significance, even for double the money, is coming to DC right now (in 2010). Get over it.

ronnie, and I guess DC Man, your points are valid in a vacuum, especially because DC Man specializes in criticizing particular targets over and over. But in the broader sense, some of us are analyzing this knowing that laws and regulations of all types are broken every day. I can still acknowledge Gilbert was extremely wrong, but also realize that probably scores if not hundreds of other guns were in NBA locker rooms. You don't think a bunch of players across the country scrambled to clean out their lockers this past few weeks? It's like speeding, fireworks, and taxes. All those holier than thou types are the ones most offended here. There is no doubt Gil was wrong, wrong, wrong for his part, but Critt was apparently a problem here, and some of us realize, boys will be boys and that is part of the equation. Still wrong, still needs to be punished, but please, it wasn't assault and wasn't attempted murder, it was a stupid joke by an immature adult, and he should be reprimanded, punished, and then we all move on. And there is nothing wrong with supporting a loved one, even though they will need a lecture and punishment. The question for the next few days - after all Gil has done for us fans, and the Wizards, is he still a loved one? I say yes. The team seems on the fence, and if they betray the loyalty aspect, then they get what they deserve.

I've already indicated that the subject of the Flood case was different. I am likening the two only in regards that the due process in sports might well become a major litigation point in basketball, re: the way Gilbert is being handled, and the decision if litigated in courts may have as much a profound effect for the NBA as it did in baseball.

I'm almost tired of hearing about it.
Gil was wrong.
Gil is not a thug.
Gil is a clown.
He's not the one that should be the "example".
Gil making light of the situation made it worse. I don't think he thought it was as serious as it is.
Lifetime ban is ridiculous.
I think the season is kind of harsh but totally understandable.
I doubt he will face jail time or felony charges.
I hope he finally learns from this, you know they say you have to hit the bottom some times.

I compare this to a class clown that pulls a senior prank that's not so funny and gets expelled and doesn't get to graduate. Or the guy who got his third strike for bouncing a check and served life. Yeah it's within the rules to do it, but it's not really necessary.

It just sucks for Gil that he stomped on all good will and leniency will his antics after the story broke.

To the list of legitimate beefs I would also add the "application" of league policy.

At the end of the day it's clear that Stern is within his rights to drop the hammer. And it's not surprising that he did given Arenas's disrespectful, immature, and ill-advised actions.

Still, when people talk about a potential lifetime ban, that seems to be way out of step with precedent (e.g. from a league image perspective the Arenas situation probably isn't much worse than the Brawl at the Palace back in 2004-05 -- all of those players were allowed to get back in the league even though there were criminal issues at stake there too; from a societal perspective I'm still a lot more disturbed by the Delonte West incident -- which Stern hasn't acted on.)

Precedent matters in terms of expectations and credibility.

The Adrian Wojnarowski article, which someone posted above from Yahoo! Sports is one of the best comments that I've read so far on this topic. To everyone here, I'd highly recommend reading it in its entirety:

"[Arenas's] job as the court jester is over, and the commissioner and the Wizards can milk it no more. They know who Arenas is, and always did. The league and team can dispense mock outrage and moral indignation to the public, can void his contract and pocket his $80 million, but they know the truth. They helped create Arenas. They helped hatch this whole, sad, sordid mess."

SDMDTSU just posted the perfect analysis, and perfect summary, so I'm done this morning (unless someone else brings in some over-reacting, frenzied, negativity, and then all the sane folks will have to calm them down yet again)

If only our legal system pursued real criminals with the same zeal as they are going after Gilbert. People are gunned down in the streets of Washington DC almost daily, and its just a footnote on the 11:00 local news, National news never even touches most of those stories. These "real" thugs continue to get off with slaps on the wrist. But let's sock it to Gilbert. Let's make an example out of him. Let's pull everyone working on all the Cold Case files and unsolved murders here in DC. That's how DC will show its tough on crime.

Here's a thought. How about making an example out of real killers, then maybe society won't be so quick to try to imitate them. Let's stop glorifying Gansta life styles in TV, radio, and Film. OK .. I'm getting way past the blog topic, but you get my point.

Larry, sorry for asking for a clarification. when the thread gets this long, it's hard to cull through all the postings. I agree, that this incident could be a rallying point for the players assoc., but i think that it could also serve as a rallying point for the owners. I think the owners and players are going to have a very contentious CBA negotiation whenever it is up for renewal. The owners are going to attempt to make all player contracts non-guaranteed like NFL contracts. This would be a step in the right direction if you ask me. Players would be more accountable for their actions and their play.

c'mon pfunk1. Of course, the league has a right to suspend Gil. That's not in question. But are you arguing that the penalty, such as the duration of a suspension, for violating a CBA rule is cannot be challenged? Suppose Gil is given a lifetime suspension. Should he not be permitted to challenge that decision?

The owners are going to attempt to make all player contracts non-guaranteed like NFL contracts. This would be a step in the right direction if you ask me. Players would be more accountable for their actions and their play.

Posted by: ZardsFan1 | January 8, 2010 9:48 AM | Report abuse

Now that's learning. Amen. And the non-playoff teams should have financial penalties all around, owners, management, players for failure to make the play-offs.

c'mon pfunk1. Of course, the league has a right to suspend Gil. That's not in question. But are you arguing that the penalty, such as the duration of a suspension, for violating a CBA rule is cannot be challenged? Suppose Gil is given a lifetime suspension. Should he not be permitted to challenge that decision?

Posted by: ZardsFan1 | January 8, 2010 9:56 AM | Report abuse

I'm sure there is an appeal process.

The point is that he is due for a suspension (how ling has yet to be seen) and it's beginning immediately.

Honestly, Gilby's first headache is not the CBA and the suspension issue.

It is the criminal legal issue.

Each firearm that he possessed illegally carries a 5 year sentence.

5 years x 4 guns = 20 years

Forget playing basketball again. The dude needs to be concerned about being able to walk the streets as a free man...

I hear from an inside source that the NHL is in the process of outlawing hockey skates and hockey blade sharpeners from all locker rooms, as they could be used as weapons and have already resulted in at least one guy getting his toe chopped off in the locker room. As several people have also gotten their throats slit on the ice, the NHL is also considering converting all ice rinks into roller rinks, to avoid players from using dangerous weapons.

Our society has gotten so friggin PC about everything and let's hack media like the New York Post and TMZ convict a man for having unloaded weapons, as if one could not do serious damage with a fist or countless household weapons, like knives, forks and spoons. The point is that Gilbert did not load his weapons and while he should not have brought him to his employment or been kidding around with unloaded weapons, to destroy a man's career and livelihood for this is silly. One must also realize that not long ago Shawn Taylor was murdered in his home and players do have a right to protect themselves. Gilbert should be punished for violating league rules, but should not be decapitated for his poor humor and actions.